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Photo by Swissboy
The south-east part of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, December 2007

[edit] Overview

Christmas Island, Australia lies in the Indian Ocean, about 350 km south of Indonesia's Java. It is about 2600 km north west of Perth, where the flights originate that connect it with the Australian mainland. The area is about 135 square kilometers. The island has a volcanic origin, and most of the coastline is very rugged, unlike the smooth one on the Cocos/Keeling atoll further south.

Christmas Island is best known for the spectacular annual Red Crab migration.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

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[edit] Rarities

White-tailed Tropicbird (race fulvus Golden Tropicbird), Abbott's Booby, Christmas Island Frigatebird, Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon, Christmas Island Hawk-Owl, Christmas Island White-eye.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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[edit] Other Wildlife

Christmas Island is of major interest because there are many species of crabs that fill ecological niches which are usually filled by vertebrates. Just an example: The forest floor is often teeming with burrows. These are dug by crabs and used for shelter. On Lord Howe Island, one finds similar looking forests with lots of holes, but there these burrows are the nesting sites of the Flesh-footed Shearwater.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

• Flight connection is either from Perth, or from South-East Asia: from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• It is best to rent a small 4x4 car to be able to drive on all the roads that lead to the interesting locations. Though a regular small car is sufficient for the major roads.

[edit] Contact Details

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Photo by Swissboy Arriving at Christmas Island, November 2007

Photo by Swissboy Annual Red Crab migration, November 2007

Photo by Swissboy Rugged West coast from the Blowholes area, November 2007

[edit] External Links

• Christmas Island website, with birdwatching information
• Vacational Trip Report Early December 2007